Multiple sources are reporting Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger will likely sit out Week 16 Saturday against St. Louis, and possibly Week 17 at Cleveland as well - due to the ankle injury he sustained in Week 14.

Roethlisberger threw three interceptions and fumbled once in Pittsburgh's 20-3 loss at San Francisco in Week 15. He never looked comfortable, and made some poor throws, while missing others.

The decision to sit him now, after the Steelers clinched a playoff berth despite the loss, makes sense. As astute reader Akshay R pointed out, the Steelers have sewn up the 5th seed already, meaning they can lose their last two games and claim the top wild card spot in the playoffs.

The 5th seed currently would put them in Denver for the first round.

Winning out and a Baltimore loss, though, is the Steelers real motivation now. Pittsburgh can wrap up the AFC North with wins over Cleveland and St. Louis, and a Ravens loss vs. Cleveland or at Cincinnati. Couple in a New England loss, and they'd have the top seed they lost out on having by the loss in Week 15.

Would Roethlisberger play in a Week 17 game if a win meant a division championship? It's hard to say he wouldn't, especially considering many sources said he played Monday at San Francisco because Baltimore lost the day before it.

It may not be all about Pittsburgh's offense anyway. The Steelers defense has played very well down the stretch, and the 20 points allowed to San Francisco - the highest total given up since a Week 10 win at Cincinnati - was caused largely by turnovers and short field situations.

It's time to play Dennis Dixon. Give him all the snaps in practice and the last 2 games, see what he's got and if he is worth trying to resign or kick him to the curb

Steelers&gt;NFL

12-22-2011, 08:23 AM

Better put him on the shelf for the last two pointless games. Anything other than that would be plain stupid.

BradshawsHairdresser

12-22-2011, 10:09 AM

What will Ben decide to do?

He will decide whether he plays or sits.

phillyesq

12-22-2011, 11:27 AM

Better put him on the shelf for the last two pointless games. Anything other than that would be plain stupid.

Lets say the Ravens stumble in one of their last two games, but the Steelers end up losing to the Rams (who upset the Saints earlier this year) while playing with Batch and Dixon at QB. That would also look foolish.

If Ben can play without significant risk of aggravating the ankle, he should play.

In an ideal scenario, the Steelers get up big in this game, early, and then turn over the second half to Charlie Batch and Hines Ward.

feltdizz

12-22-2011, 11:33 AM

Better put him on the shelf for the last two pointless games. Anything other than that would be plain stupid.

Lets say the Ravens stumble in one of their last two games, but the Steelers end up losing to the Rams (who upset the Saints earlier this year) while playing with Batch and Dixon at QB. That would also look foolish.

If Ben can play without significant risk of aggravating the ankle, he should play.

In an ideal scenario, the Steelers get up big in this game, early, and then turn over the second half to Charlie Batch and Hines Ward.

and what if Ben takes another stupid hit to complete a 3 yard pass on 3rd and 10 and gets carted off the field?

We are in... put him on the shelf.

phillyesq

12-22-2011, 11:39 AM

Better put him on the shelf for the last two pointless games. Anything other than that would be plain stupid.

Lets say the Ravens stumble in one of their last two games, but the Steelers end up losing to the Rams (who upset the Saints earlier this year) while playing with Batch and Dixon at QB. That would also look foolish.

If Ben can play without significant risk of aggravating the ankle, he should play.

In an ideal scenario, the Steelers get up big in this game, early, and then turn over the second half to Charlie Batch and Hines Ward.

and what if Ben takes another stupid hit to complete a 3 yard pass on 3rd and 10 and gets carted off the field?

We are in... put him on the shelf.

This Steelers team does not have the look of a team that will make it through the playoffs on the road. For a realistic chance to make it to the SB, this team needs homefield advantage. :2c

JAR

12-22-2011, 12:19 PM

Better put him on the shelf for the last two pointless games. Anything other than that would be plain stupid.

Pointless games? There is still a lot at stake. I'm sure you would have been crying that Ben should have played Monday if Batch started and lost.

Steelers&gt;NFL

12-22-2011, 12:44 PM

Better put him on the shelf for the last two pointless games. Anything other than that would be plain stupid.

Pointless games? There is still a lot at stake. I'm sure you would have been crying that Ben should have played Monday if Batch started and lost.
Good point. But no I would not have. I am thinking long term this year. Especially with a gimpy Ben. He needs the rest. No way he can go another 5 weeks in the row, assuming they keep winning.
We have to put some trust in the backup QBs. Afterall, these same two guys helped through the first 4 games last year during Ben's suspension.

hawaiiansteel

12-22-2011, 01:21 PM

What will Ben decide to do?

He will decide whether he plays or sits.

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2011

Roethlisberger laughs off report he won't play

Ben Roethlisberger was surprised by an NFL Network report that he will not play Saturday against the St. Louis Rams.

The report, made via Tweet by Jason La Canfora, claimed that team officials told him Roethlisberger would sit out against the Rams.

"The NFL Network said that? Not really, they always like to say things," Roethlisberger said when asked if he was surprised by the report.

"Unless coach has said something, Iím going to wait to hear it from him."

Better put him on the shelf for the last two pointless games. Anything other than that would be plain stupid.

If Ben can play without significant risk of aggravating the ankle, he should play.

In an ideal scenario, the Steelers get up big in this game, early, and then turn over the second half to Charlie Batch and Hines Ward.

I agree.
Of course, the debate is rustiness vs. health. If we shut him down for two weeks and he comes back... IMO, it's just as likely that he will come back rusty and slow, than if we play him, manage him but keep him sharp, and he goes into the playoffs with this injury.

In other words, giving him this 19 days til the playoff game off won't get him to 100% or anything near, so I don't like the idea of shutting him down for that time, because then I think it's likely that will affect his game performance even more than playing with a nagging ankle.

I do like the idea of treating these games similar to preseason games, where he plays just to get his feet wet, then pull him.

hawaiiansteel

12-23-2011, 02:55 PM

Signs point to no Big Ben

Friday, December 23, 2011
By Ed Bouchette, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

If actions speak louder than words, Ben Roethlisberger will not start at quarterback Saturday for the Steelers.

Roethlisberger, who has a high ankle sprain, did not practice for the second consecutive day and, with a light practice today before the Saturday game, there is little chance for him to prepare to play against the St. Louis Rams. Offensive coordinator Bruce Arians said he does not necessarily have to practice to play -- he did not practice a lot the previous week and played Monday in San Francisco.

"It's just a matter of getting as healthy as you possibly can to be able to have some mobility," said Arians, who said he will wait to hear from Mike Tomlin on his decision.

Charlie Batch would start Saturday if Roethlisberger does not.

The quarterback may have a lot of company on the sideline because center Maurkice Pouncey, also with a high ankle sprain, did not practice and likely will miss his second consecutive game. And outside linebacker LaMarr Woodley also might not play because of his lingering hamstring injury.

Emmanuel Sanders will miss his second consecutive game with a foot injury because he has not been able to go through a full practice.